About the Course
FELLOWSHIP TRAINING IN FUNCTIONAL NEUROSURGERY
6–12 Months | Partially Hands-On Surgical Training Led by Prof. Abuzer Güngör, MD
Venue: Medical Park Bahçelievler Hospital, Istanbul
Custom Start Date | Live DBS, Epilepsy & Pain Surgery | Accredited Certificate
PROGRAM DIRECTOR
Prof. Abuzer Güngör, MD Functional & Stereotactic Neurosurgery Specialist
Pioneer in Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) for Parkinson’s, dystonia, tremor
Expert in Epilepsy Surgery, Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS), Responsive Neurostimulation (RNS)
International trainer in Frameless Stereotaxy, Laser Interstitial Thermal Therapy (LITT), Pain Neuromodulation
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
| Duration | 6 months (minimum) → 12 months (full mastery)
| Format | 80% OR time (scrub-in, first assist, progressive autonomy) + 20% clinic, research, academic
| Case Volume | >150 functional cases/year (DBS, epilepsy, pain, movement disorders)
| Start Date | Custom – Request any Monday; confirmed within 72h based on Prof. Güngör’s OR calendar
| Language | English
CURRICULUM PHASES
Phase 1: Months 1–3 | Foundation & Observation
OR: Observe 50+ cases (DBS lead placement, epilepsy resections, spinal cord stimulators)
Clinic: Pre-op evaluation, programming DBS/VNS, multidisciplinary epilepsy boards
Didactics: Weekly journal club, stereotaxy physics, neuromodulation principles
Milestone: First-assist on >20 DBS battery replacements
Phase 2: Months 4–6 | Hands-On Core Skills
Lead Surgeon Role:
DBS lead insertion (frameless & frame-based)
Temporal lobectomy, laser ablation (LITT)
Paddle/lead spinal cord stimulation
Research: Publish 1 case report or retrospective study
Milestone: Independent DBS programming certification
Phase 3: Months 7–12 (Optional) | Advanced Autonomy & Leadership
Primary Surgeon under supervision:
Complex DBS revisions
Responsive neurostimulation (RNS) implantation
Intrathecal pump placement
Cortical mapping for epilepsy
Teaching: Mentor junior residents, present at national congress
Research: Lead 1 prospective study or book chapter
Milestone: Eligible for Sky Medical Academy Functional Neurosurgery Diploma
SURGICAL PROCEDURES (Progressive Hands-On)
Category | Key Procedures |
Movement Disorders | DBS (STN, GPi, VIM), Pallidotomy, Thalamotomy |
Epilepsy Surgery | Temporal lobectomy, Amygdalohippocampectomy, LITT, Corpus callosotomy |
Neuromodulation | VNS, RNS, Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS), Intrathecal pumps |
Pain Surgery | Occipital nerve stimulation, Trigeminal procedures |
Stereotaxy | Frameless biopsy, SEEG electrode placement |
WEEKLY SCHEDULE (Typical)
Day | Activity |
Mon–Wed | OR Days – 3–5 cases (DBS, epilepsy, pain) |
Thu | Clinic + Programming (DBS adjustments, VNS checks) |
Fri | Research, M&M, Journal Club |
Weekend | Off-call (optional emergency cases) |
INCLUSIONS
Stipend: 19,000 EUR/month (6-month) → 35,000 EUR/month (12-month)
Scrubs, Loupes, Surgical Tools
Daily meals at the venue
Airport transportation(Roundtrip)
Visa support letters, long term accomodation support
Certificate:Fellowship in Functional Neurosurgery – Sky Medical Academy
HOW TO APPLY
Submit:
CV
Letter of intent
Preferred start month (e.g., “September 2025”)
Virtual interview with Prof. Güngör
Confirmation
Master Functional Neurosurgery – From Lead Placement to Patient Programming Limited to 1 fellow per 6 months – Apply now!
Your Instructor
Prof Abuzer Güngör, MD - Brain and Nerve Surgery
Prof. Dr. Abuzer Güngör is a physician and academic specialized in brain and neurosurgery. After completing his specialization training at Bakırköy Mazhar Osman Mental and Neurological Diseases Hospital, he conducted advanced microsurgery and neuroanatomy research in the USA at the University of Florida's Dr. Albert L. Rhoton Neuro-Microanatomy Laboratory, with support from the Turkish Neurosurgical Society's International Training Fellowship and TÜBİTAK's International Postdoctoral Research Fellowship.
In his academic career, he has worked at prestigious institutions such as Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Medicine, Acıbadem University, İstinye University, and is currently the director of the Microneurosurgery Laboratory at Yeditepe University.
His areas of expertise include microsurgery, tumor surgery (neuro-oncology), skull base surgery, epilepsy surgery, neurovascular surgery, functional neurosurgery, deep brain stimulation, and robotic neurosurgical techniques.
He is a member of the Turkish Neurosurgical Society, the European Association of Neurosurgical Societies (EANS), the World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies (WFNS), and the International Meningioma Society. Additionally, he serves as the Chair of the WFNS Young Neurosurgeons Committee.
Throughout his career, he has mentored 65 neurosurgery fellows, contributing to their clinical and academic development.
Prof. Dr. Güngör's work has been published in prestigious journals such as the *Journal of Neurosurgery*, *World Neurosurgery*, and *Neurosurgical Focus*. His publications have received over 1,250 citations, and his h-index is 20.
He currently works as a brain and neurosurgery specialist at Medical Park Bahçelievler Hospital and teaches in the Department of Medical Sciences at İstinye University Faculty of Medicine.
Education
* Yeditepe University Microsurgery Laboratory
* Bahçeşehir University Prof. Rhoton Applied Anatomy and Surgical Training Center (February 2020–March 2020)
* University of Florida International Dr. Albert L. Rhoton Neuro-Microanatomy Laboratory (October 2014–October 2015)
* University of Florida International Dr. Albert L. Rhoton Neuro-Microanatomy Laboratory (April 2014–May 2014)
* Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Medicine Institute of Neurological Sciences, Department of Neurosurgery Microsurgery Laboratory (January 2013–January 2014)
* Bakırköy Mental and Neurological Diseases Hospital, Neurosurgery Clinic, Istanbul, Turkey (2008–2014) Specialization Training
* IFMSA Professional Exchange Program, University of Slovenia, Infectious Diseases Clinic (July 2004–August 2014)
* Karadeniz Technical University, Faculty of Medicine, Trabzon (2001–2007)
Experience
* Liv Hospital Ulus
* University of Florida
* Acıbadem University
* Acıbadem Altunizade Hospital
* Ümraniye Training and Research Hospital
* Bakırköy Mental and Neurological Diseases Training and Research Hospital
* Medical Park Bahçelievler
Memberships
* Turkish Neurosurgical Society
* Stereotactic Functional Pain and Epilepsy Surgery Teaching and Education Group
* Turkish Neurosurgical Society External Relations Executive Board
* International Meningioma Society
* Rhoton Society
* International Academy of Neurosurgical Anatomy
* European Association of Neurosurgical Societies
Research / Supervised Specialization Theses
* Anatomical Robotic Surgical Approach to the Mesiotemporal Region with Neuronavigation. Dr. Ahmet Akbaş, Bakırköy Mental and Neurological Diseases Training and Research Hospital, Department of Neurosurgery, 2019.
* White Matter Anatomy of the Corpus Callosum. Dr. Göktuğ Ülkü, Gazi University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Neurosurgery, 2019.
* White Matter Anatomy of the Hypothalamus. Dr. Pelin Kuzucu, Gazi University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Neurosurgery, 2019.
* Evaluation of the Microsurgical Anatomy of the Subthalamic Region and Ventral Amygdalofugal White Matter Pathways Alongside Their Functions. Dr. Ahmet Akbaş, Bakırköy Mental and Neurological Diseases Training and Research Hospital, Department of Neurosurgery, 2018.
* White Matter and Microsurgical Anatomy of the Caudate Nucleus. Dr. Seda Yağmur Karataş Okumuş, Bakırköy Mental and Neurological Diseases Training and Research Hospital, Department of Neurosurgery, 2022.
* White Matter and Microsurgical Anatomy of the Posterior Commissure. Dr. Safa Kürşun, Bakırköy Mental and Neurological Diseases Training and Research Hospital, Department of Neurosurgery, 2022.